International Attendees

¡Bienvenida!

Dê as boas-vindas!
Bienvenu!
欢迎!

IFT extends a special welcome to those of you who are traveling to Chicago from outside of the United States. We are looking forward to meeting you! 

Food professionals from more than 50 countries around the world will be joining us for this year's event. Plus, exhibitors from more than 30 countries will be showcasing the latest innovations. It's truly a global view of the world of food!

 

Visas

Please visit this page for important Visa information.

Event Basics

Language
Sessions at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo are conducted in English.

Venue
Our 2012 event will be held at McCormick Place South in Chicago, Illinois. Our headquarters hotel will be the Hilton Chicago.

Weather
In July, Chicago has average highs of 84°F (29°C), and average lows of 63°F (17°C). Prior to traveling to Chicago for the meeting, you may wish to check the Chicago 10-day weather forecast.

Exchange Rate
Help plan your trip by checking the current exchange rate of your currency to U.S. dollars.

Tipping
Tipping in the United States is customary. A 15% to 20% tip is usually expected in restaurants, taxis, and for services you receive.

Etiquette
Become familiar with American etiquette for private, public, and business interactions.

Time
Chicago is in the Central Time Zone. In July, the Central Time Zone is -5h UTC/GMT.

Electricity
Voltage 120, frequency 60 Hz. Adaptors that may be required are:

Two flat blades or two flat blades with a round grounding pin.

plug: two prongs plug: three prongs

Telephone

  • U.S. country code: +1
  • Chicago area code: (312)
  • U.S. telephone numbers have ten digits total, which includes the area code and a seven digit phone number (e.g., 312.555.1234)
  • To make a call, dial 1 + area code + seven-digit number
  • To call internationally from Chicago, dial "011" + country code + area code + number

Internet
Most hotels offer high-speed Internet connections and Internet cafes are plentiful.

Emergencies
Dial 911 from any phone.

Business Hours
Standard business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Attire
Attire at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo is business casual. Since meeting room temperatures and personal comfort ranges may vary, a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Also, you may wish to wear comfortable shoes, as walking distances within McCormick Place can be long.

Chicago City Highlights
Chicago is an exciting city that welcomes visitors from around the world. Spend some time before or after the Annual Meeting & Food Expo exploring this exciting destination city. Consult Choose Chicago or download the Choose Chicago mobile app for ideas and resources.

International Center
You're encouraged to visit the International Lounge on Level 1 of McCormick Place South. It's an ideal place to connect with current colleagues, meet new people from around the world, or just relax.

 

If you have specific questions in the meantime, please contact us.